day no. 14,371: taking good advice... no matter from where it's coming

Exodus 18:13-14, 17-19, 21-23, 24

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

So Jethro has been a believer in Yahweh for ONE DAY and jumps right in. He is watching how this operation works and immediately has one thought, "This isn't good!" And not only that, but he tells the head guy, his son-in-law, exactly what he is thinking. At this point, I can imagine Moses being all like, "Hey, new guy! Hit the showers, man. I've been doing this a while. You have to earn your stripes before you come at me with that kind of heat, etc…" But Moses doesn't do that. Not even close. He listens to advice from a new convert, who is also his father-in-law. He listens and puts into practice Jethro's advice. He not only gives him the opportunity to speak into his life, but he takes advice… from a brand new believer… who is his wife's dad. Moses for the WIN! This is a lesson to be teachable and to listen regardless of the positional disparity between you and the person with the advice.